"But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'"1

Excuses. I guess there is never a shortage of them. The following notes from parents excusing their children from attending school have been around a while but if you haven't seen them, I'm sure you will get a kick out of them:

"Please excuse Freddie from being away yesterday because he had the fuel."

"Please accuse Michael from being absent on January 30 because he was aleing."

"George was absent yesterday because of a sore trout."

"Please excuse Betsey from being absent. She was sick and I had her shot."

"Joseph has been absent 'becuz' he had two teeth taken off his face."

"My son is under doctor's care and should not take fisical education. Please execute him."

"Please excuse Ralph from school on Friday. He had very loose vowels."

And how did Adam excuse and justify himself when he sinned and disobeyed God? Many say he blamed Eve. But he really blamed God. "It was the woman you gave me that made me do it," he said to God! And then the woman blamed the serpent!

I often wonder how many of us blame either God or the devil for the things that have gone wrong in our lives, things which were the direct result of the choices we made all by ourselves. Sometimes, to blame God, the devil, or anybody else for our problems is a handy excuse to hang on to if we don't want to face reality, accept responsibility, and grow up!

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me always to be honest with myself and face reality, and always accept responsibility for the things I say, the things I do, the feelings I feel, and the motives behind all of these. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."